Union Health Minister JP Nadda told Rajya Sabha India has 13.88 lakh allopathic doctors and 7.52 lakh AYUSH practitioners, yielding a 1:811 doctor-population ratio assuming 80% availability—better than WHO's 1:1000. Medical colleges doubled since 2014, with schemes targeting rural gaps.
Bridging the healthcare manpower divide
Nadda highlighted massive expansion: medical colleges up from 387 to 818, UG seats from 51k to 129k, PG seats from 31k to 82k since 2014. Rural focus includes 137 new district-linked colleges and incentives like hard-area allowances.
Key highlights
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Ratio details: 1:811 (allopathic + AYUSH, 80% active); 1.39 Cr total registered doctors/practitioners.
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Capacity surge: Colleges +131%, UG seats +151%, PG seats +163% in decade.
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Rural push: 137/157 new medical colleges operational; "You Quote, We Pay" salaries; District Residency for PG students.
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Family Adoption: MBBS curriculum mandates village/family tracking for vaccines, nutrition, health education.
Sources: The Hans India; Tribune India; Millennium Post; Indian Express; NDTV Health.